In the 1998 season, the Zingrods spent almost 1/3 of their salary budget on two closers: Hoffman and Rivera. They finished 13th in a pack of 15. Item #1 on the offseason agenda was to correct this situation. Shane Reynolds was traded to the Crik Rats for Kevin Millwood, Billy Taylor and Kerry "DOH" Lightenberg. Rivera was then traded to the Barking Spiders for Mark Wohlers. When you're done laughing, just remember, he who laughs last, laughs best.

Mariano is Ruben Rivera's cousin.